Mechanism for knitting



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MECHANISM FOR KNITTING 17 sheets-sheet 12 Filed Aug. 5, 1932 Jan. 5, 1937. A. GRAENZ MECHANISM FOR KNITTING Filed Aug. 5, 1932 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 13 IW/vewel Gana/enza, y i; Mis.

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MECHANISM FOR KNITTING Filed Aug. 5, 1932 17 sheets-sheet 15 @y WMM @mw Jan. 5, 1937"D A. GRAENZ' 2,066,632

MECHANISM FOR KNITTING Filed Aug. 5, 1932 17 Sheets-Sheet 16 .lanu 5, 1937o A. GRAENZ MECHANISM FOR KNITTING Filed Aug. 5. 1932 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 17 Invenww: Wgr ed @Kamen/z.

- Patented Jan. 5,1937

UNITED STATES PivrEN'r OFFICE 2,066,682 LECHANISM FOR KNITIING' Alfred Gmnz, Philadelphia, ra., signor a, N'u'n. Run Fabric and Machine Co., Inc., New York, N.- Y., a corporation ofNew York AApplication Aug-usi 5,1932, semina'. 627.550

as claims;

claimed in my Patents 1,856,053 and 1,862,514, and

will be v-best understood from the following description and the annexed drawings, in which I have shown a selected mechanism by which the method may be practiced. I have also illustrated a fabric which maybe made by the mechanism described herein.

' In the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of method and part of a knitting machine having certain partsof my novel mechanism applied thereto. v

Fig. 2 is a. front view of part of the machine A appearing in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3ds a view on a reduced scale approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, parts being shown in section and other parts being omitted whereadvisable for the sake of `clear-ness.

Fig. 4 is a view onan enlarged scaietaken on a plane substantially the same as the plane ofFig. 3,

Fig.. 5 is a view taken approximatelyonthe line 'g 5, o'f Fi g. 4. y l Fig. 6 is a view taken on the same piane as Fig. 51but showing the parts inadiiferent position. Fig. v is a view tekenen menne fiel-or Fig. '8 is a view taken on the line .3-,4 of Fig. 6.y Figs. 9, 10, 1 1, and 12 are views'corresponding to Figs. 5 and 6. but showing the parts in stilil ,otherpositiona 1 Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view takenon the line V- Il of Fig. 3, parts being broken away and other parts omitted for the sake of clearness.

Figs. 14, 15, and 1'6 are views corresponding to Fig. 13, but lshowing the parts in different positions. Figs. 17 to 24, inclusive, are diagrammatic views in the form cf'sections through .the sinker head' of the machine and associated mechanism andf showing` successive relative positions of the difafabric with this invenbut omitting a number of thegparts appearing' in n .y Fig. 33 is a top view of the apparatus appearing in Fig. 32, with certain parts omitted.

Fig. 34 is a. view-of the apparatus appearing Yin Fig. 32 as viewed from the left of that figure.

Fig. 35 is a view on theline 35-35 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 36 Ais a view of the same apparatus as shown in Fig. 35 as seen from the right of that figure.

Fig. 37 is a vertical transverse section through the entire machine showing part'of the mecha- 4nisni for operating the locking points.

Fig. 38 is a view similar to Fig. 37, Ybut showing the mechanism for operating the needle bar and othereIements. I

Fig. 39 is a perspective fra ing the loose course lmotion and the control therefor.v

gmentary view show- 'Ihe invention covered byv application relates to a knitted fabric and more particularly to fabric 'of the so-called thrill-fashioned type well .known in the art andfusedq to. advantage in the manufacture of hosiery. In my aforesaid Patents 1,856,053 and 1,862,514, I have shown samples of fabric in which the loops Aorl stitches are so ardescribed and illustratedin'said patents but by 40. \mod iiied mechanism and methods. A

The invention may conveniently be practiced on aknittlng machine of the well-known Reading type and, for the purpose o f convenience, I have illustrated the invention as practiced with such a machine, although, of course, it is to be under' stood that other types ,of machines may be used ifdesired-.

One part of the invention relates to novel and improved means for controlling the displacement of selected loops to form the fabric covered in my aforesaid patents, and such means will now be described; particular reference being made to Figs. 1 to 16. inclusive.

's In rm.` 2s is shown s. 'section of a. fahne, it sir being understood that this fabric is on a greatly enlarged scale and that the loops therein are shown in conventional form. The fabric comprises courses and wales of loops, course I, for example, being a regulation plain course, and the courses 2 and 3 together forming a locking zone in which certain selected loops 4 are displaced from the course 2 into the course 3 and into adjacent wales in that course. In this particular instance, every third loop in the course 2 is thus displaced into the course 3. The mechanism about to be described is adapted to select the desired course from which loops are to be displaced and to select the loops in that course which are to be displaced and finally the mechanism can be adjusted so as to select the Wale into which the loop is to be displaced.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 16, inclusive, I have'shown therein parts of a machine of the Reading type having rows of needles 5 supported on a needle bar 6, it being understood that the parts shown may be repeated in the assembly so that a number ofv these parts may be operated from one cam shaft as is usual.

Cooperating with the needles 5 are rows of locking points 1, in this instance there being shown one locking point for each four needles. although this relation may be varied as found desirable. These locking points are mounted on bars 8 secured to brackets S which, in tum, are secured to a shaft I0 extending longitudinally of the machine and supported from a shaft II which, in turn, is carried by a plurality of brackets I2 spaced along the machine, although only one is shown in these drawings.

The bracket I2 is carried by a rock shaft I3. Rocking of the shaft I3 by means to be described later will cause the points 1 to dip downwardly so as to enter selected loops which are to be displaced. The lateral displacement of the points 1 to displace the loops carried by these points into adjacent wales of the fabric may be caused by movement of the shaft I0 parallel to its axis and, according to the present invention, this movement may be caused by means exemplified by the roller I4 engaging a collar I5 on the shaft I0, as best shown in Figs. 4, '1, and 8.' 'I'his roller I4 is revolubly mounted upon a lever I6 having its upper end pivotally mounted at I1 on the forward end of a rock shaft I8.

The shaft I8 is mounted in a bearing I9 carried by a bracket 20 secured to the shaft I3 and in a bearing 2| secured to the shaft II so that, upon rocking of the shaft I3, the shaft vI8 will also rock forwardly in exact accordance with the dipping motion of the points 1. The shaft I8 is given an oscillating motion by means of a rod 22 having a pin 23 engaging in a slot 24 of an arm 25 rigidly secured to the shaft I8. vThe means for operating the vrod 22 will be more fully described later.

The collar I5 on the shaft I0 is held against the roller I4 by means of a spring 26 shown in Fig. 2, and engagement of these parts is also assured by a light spring 21, also shown in Fig. 2. I'he normal inoperative positions of the parts are shown in Fig. 2, and when in those positions, the spring 26 is not charged. 'I'he movement of the shaft I8 may be considered as being betweenthe positions shown inFigs. 5 and 6, Flg. 5 showing the oscillation of the shaft in a counterclockwise direction,` and Fig. 6 showing the oscillation of the same shaft in a clockwise direction. When the lever I8 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that it will rock about the lthe collar I5. This is the normal idle movement of the lever during its inoperative stages, and during such idle movement it will have no effect upon the other mechanism.

Disposed in the lower end of the lever I 6 is a roller 28 which, in the idle movement just referred to above, is spaced a sufficient distance from a chamfered surface 29 on a block 30 so this idle movement may take place without the roller engaging the block. This block 30 may conveniently be called a .selector and, as best shown in Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16', has a plurality of surfaces 3l, 32, 33, and 34, any one of which may be engaged by the roller 28, the selector being secured to a rod 35 slidably mounted in a bearing 36 upon the frameY of -the machine. Movement of the rod 35 may bring any one of these surfaces into position where, when the points dip, the roller 28 will pass along one of these surfaces, it being remembered that the lever I6 will move in exact accordance with the dipping movement of the points.

.When the roller. 28 engages one of the surfaces on the selector, then oscillation of the shaft I8 willcause rocking of the lever I6 about the center of the roller 28, this roller then having a fixed bearing surface with which to contact. If the shaft I8 oscillates in the direction shown in Fig. 5, then the roller I4 tends to move away from the collar I5, thus permitting the spring 26 to move the shaft I0 to the right, and

i this will move the points 1 to the right, as indicatd by the arrows in Figs. 5 and '1. Likewise, when the shaft I8 oscillates in the direction shown in Fig, 6, this will cause the roller I4 to move the collar I5 and, consequently, the shaft I0 to the left, thuscausing the points 1 to move to the left, as indicated by the arrows in Figs.- 6 and 8. The amount of this movement is Indicated by the difference between the full line and dash line positions of the points in Figs. 5 and 6, and is shown as being equal to the spacing between two` adjacent needles 5. By adjusting the pin 23 along the slot 24, however, the amount of the movement of the points 1 may be varied as desired.

The surfaces 3|, 32, 33, and 34, are shown as inclined to the vertical in Fig.- 4, this being for the purpose of providing a path of the proper shape for the roller 28 during the dipping movement of the points 1 and of the shaft I8. 'I'he relation of the lever I6 to the roller I4 may be adjusted by the opposing screws 31 best shown in Figs. '1 and 8 so as to accurately adjust the roller 28 with respect to the various surfaces l on the selector.

above, any one of the surfaces thereon may be brought into position at the right time to contact with the roller 28. I'he parts are so timed that before any dipping operation of the points takes place, the selector i's actuated to bring one of its surfaces 3l, 32, 33, or 34 into such position that it will be engaged by the roller 28 upon occurrence of the dipping operation. `By proper selection and placing of the surfaces on the selector, the initial dipping motion which carries the lever I6 downwardly will cause engagement of the roller 28 with one of the surfaces on the selector before the points 1 come into cooperative relation to the needles 5. As the roller 28 thus engages one of the surfaces on the selector, the shaft I8 will be given a motion lengthwise of its axis, depending upon the particular selector surface which is engaged.` In the illustrated embodiment, I, have shown these surfaces so ar ranged that this initial movement of the shaft will displace the points an amount equal to 1,

' spacings, while in Figs. 11 and 12, by shiftingV the selector so that the roller will engage the 2, 3, or 4 needle spacings. For example, inFig. 9 I have shown the roller 28 as engaging the surface 3| which causes an initial shift of the shaft I0 an amount equal to the spacing of two adjacent needles or an amount which may be termed one needlespacing. In Fig. 10, on the other hand, the selector has been shifted to a position where the roller 28 engages the surface 32, thus shifting the points two needle surfaces 33 and 34, respectively, the points are shifted three and four needle spacings, respecmovement of the selector l'means being exemplified by a. stop 4|) pivoted to fa bracket 4| which is secured to the shaft 35. rIfhis rst op is shown vas being limited in its down-` tively. In Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12the points are shown in cooperative relation to the` needles, but it is to be understood that the initial shifting of thepoints takes place before the points are dipped into'the loops on the needles.

Thepositions of the roller 28 and selector 30 shown in Figs. 9, 10, l1, and 12 correspond to the positions `of the same parts appearing in Figs.A 13, ,14, 15, and 16, respectively. The selector is moved forwardly at the proper time by means -of a roller 38 engaging the front of the same and mounted upon a lever 39 rocked by means which will be described later. 'I'he selector is movedby the rller 38 towards vkthe right in Figs. 3 and 4, and then as the lever 39 rocks to the left in these figures, the selector -may also linove to the left, this movement being limited by engagement of a stop 39 withthev bearing 36 and the movement being caused by a,spring 38'.` When this stop engages the bearing, the parts are in the positions shown inl Figs.

9 and 13 wherein the roller 28 will engage they surface 3| of the selector. If itis desired to have the roller engage one of the other surfaces, then some other means is used to stop the towardsthe left, this wardmovemnt by a pin 42 (Fig. 4)' and freely;

lrotatalifle ina-clockwise direction so that it be put 'outof operation if desired or so that'it`-.V may move'upwardly a smaller amountduringf the operation now to be described.

Mounted on the frame of the machine a plurality of dogs 43, 44, and' 45 which have their forward ends normally disposed below` the stop 40 as indicated in Fig. 1. By a control means to be described later, these dogs maybe raised into position where one of them will engage either one of the steps 46, 41, or' 48 on the stop 40 and thus determine the amount of movement of the selector to the left. For example, when no one of the dogs is thus raised, the selector will return to the position shown in Fig. 13, its movement being limited by the stop 3Q', whereas 'operation of one of the dogs 43, 44, or 45 will result in vengagement thereof with the steps 46, 41, and 48, respectively, and the parts Willoccupy the position shown in Figs.'14, 15, and 16, respectively.-

A brief summary of the operation'of the parts thus far described will now be given, and in this connection I will refer' not only to Figs. 1 to 16,

inclusive, and to Fig. 28, but will also refer someplain course of loops 49 followed by' two courses 50 and 5|, which together form a locking zone, certain loops 52 being displaced from the course 56 into the course 5| and into adjacent wales in that course.. We may also assume that another course 53 of plainv loops has been formed and that a second locking zone is about to be formed. At this stage, a course of loops 54 has been formed, certain of which, however, are to be later displaced into a succeeding course to aid in forming a locking zone, all in a manner more fully described in my aforesaid prior patents. 'I'he thread 55 in the succeeding course is disposedv within spring beards 56 of the needles 5 and is about to be pulled through the loops 54. For

the sake of convenience, I have shown the locking points 'l as being provided at every fourth needle, and in Fig. 25 these points are about to enter selected ones of the loops 54, these loops being designated 54'. The initial position of the points before being brought into the position shown in Fig. 25, is indicated in Fig. .17, Fig. 18 showing the positions of the polnt,'needle, and thread corresponding to Fig. 25. While the po-ints are in the approximate position shown in Fig. 17, they will be given the lateral movement determined by the selector 30, the selector at this point being ymovedinto position so that when the points dip, they will be shifted generally parallel to the row of needles, thereby selecting the loops in the course 54 which are to be displaced. By the time the points reach the position indicated yin Fig. 18, such shifting has been substantially thread 55 through the loops in the course 54, the points will now operate to displace the loops j54in the manner described' in myfafore'said patients." In Fig. 19, theneedie witngfth thread 55` Within the 4 points and then the pa its beard has moved intole'ng ement with move downwardly together to the position shown in Fig. 20, wherein fthe points pass througlthe .loops 54'. The needle now lmoves away to the right as shown in Fig. 21, and the fabricmoving with it serves to elongate the loops 54'. because the points 1 will remain relatively stationary and in 'engagement with theloops. The points I are now given a movement either .to the right or to the left, this mgvementbeing caused by oscillation lof the shaft |8. If the loops .54 are to be displaced to the right as in Fig. 26, then the displacement is caused by the-movement indicated in Fig. 5, whereas Aif they are to be displaced to the left as in Fig. 27, then the`movement occurs as shown in Fig. 6. 'I'he amount of4 displacement in either case is shown as corresponding to one Wale, but, as pointed out above, by proper adjustment of the pin 23, this displacement may be -more if desired. 'Iherelative positions of the parts after displacement are indicated in Fig. 23, whereas in Fig. 24 they have returned to their initial position corresponding to that shown in Fig. l17.

It will thus be seen that means is provided for selecting the particular loops in any course which are to be displaced, this being done by the selector 30. Then the loops may be displaced, usually 

